Patio heater with reflective shield

ABSTRACT

Patio heater comprising a base portion adapted to accommodate a heat source, a reflector dome, a support system for the reflector dome, a heat generator and a reflective shield, wherein the reflector dome is above the heat generator to reflect heat downwards and a reflective shield coats the reflector dome, wherein the coating is comprised of a layer of stone insulation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/004,291 filed May 29, 2014. The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a patio heater and more particularly to a reflective shield for reflecting heat downwards from the patio heater.

BACKGROUND

It is common to use propane-fuelled heaters to heat outdoor spaces, such as patios. They are known as “patio heaters” and can be used to provide heat in places such as restaurants, taverns, or other outdoor facilities.

However, the reflector dome of most patio heaters becomes very hot due to the contact with the hot gas from the heat generator and the hot gasses rise and heat the dome, resulting in heat rising above the dome of the patio heater. The heat above the dome of the patio heater is not only dangerous if there are materials close to the top of the heater; it results in significant loss of heat that could be used to heat the intended area.

PRIOR ART

There have been several attempts in the prior art to reflect heat downwards and prevent the surplus heat from rising above the dome, such as WO 2009/146421, where a double dome is provided with an air gap between the two domes. However, this solution does not fully prevent the heat from building up above the dome. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reflective shield to prevent excessive heat generation above the upper surface of the reflector dome of a patio heater.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved by a patio heater comprising a base portion adapted to accommodate a heat source, a reflector dome, a support system for the reflector dome, a heat generator and a reflective shield, wherein the reflector dome is above the heat generator to reflect heat downwards and a reflective shield coats the reflector dome, wherein the coating is comprised of a layer of stone insulation.

Thermal insulation is achieved which effectively shields the surroundings from the heat from the upper surface of the reflector dome and reflects heat downward, resulting in less loss of heat and reduces the consumption of propane used by the patio heater.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the layer of stone insulation is generally shaped as the reflector dome and is attached to the inner surface of the reflector dome. The stone insulation layer may be made from ground up stone materials. The reflector dome may be made from stainless steel or other metals suitable for reflecting and deflecting heat. In the preferred embodiment, the reflector dome inner surface and the stone insulation layer are fixed to each other, such as by bonding agent mixed with the insulation layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a side view of the patio heater of the present invention.

FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a side view of the reflector dome of the present invention.

FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a view of the inner surface of the reflector dome of the present invention.

FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inner surface of the stone insulation layer of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an attachment for patio heaters is shown, the heaters having a base portion 1 with air vents 1A, including a chamber for a heat source and an upright stem 3. The attachment comprises a dome member 2 defined by a perimeter edge extendable from the upright stem 3, the dome member 2 having an interior and exterior surface and a layer of stone insulation affixed along the perimeter edge of said dome member 2 and to the interior surface of said dome member 2.

The base portion 1 is shown with air vents 1A and is connected along the top surface of base portion 1 to one end of support system 3. The upright stem, or support system, 3 is connected at the end opposite the base portion 1 to reflector dome 2 by means of the connector 6. The support system 3 is shown in FIG. 1 as an arched stem attachment but it is understood that various shapes, sizes and heights may be used in the design of the support system 3 such that the reflector dome 2 is suspended away from the base portion 1 and above the user or surface to be heated such that the user and/or surface receives heat generated by the heat generator 4, with heat generator 4 shown further in FIG. 3.

Support system 3 may be permanently attached at opposite ends to base portion 1 and connector 6 using various attachment methods that are well known in the prior art, such as welding, via locking mechanisms and the like. However, support system 3 may also be detachable from the base portion 1 and/or connector 6 using temporary attachment/detachment methods that are also well known in the prior art. The support system 3 is positioned and fabricated such that the height at its apex is from about 58 to about 86 inches but preferably around 72 inches.

The reflector dome 2 is shown in further detail in FIGS. 2-4 and may also be permanently or temporarily attached to connector 6. The reflector dome is from about 38 to about 58 inches in length, but preferably around 48 inches in length; from about 24 to about 36 inches in width, but preferably around 30 inches in width; and from about 8 to about 12 inches in height, but preferably around 10 inches in height. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the opening at the bottom of the reflector dome 2 is generally rectangular in shape and the closed top surface of the dome is also rectangular in shape, wherein the sides of the reflector dome 2 connect the rectangular opening at the bottom with the closed top rectangular surface with a pyramidal central portion. However, it is generally understand that variations in shapes and sizes of the reflector dome 2 can be accommodated so long as the heat generator 4 may be placed inside the reflector dome 2, including circular and oval shapes to create a curved central portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, the heat generator 4 is positioned inside the reflector dome 2 and is faced downwards towards the user and/or the surface intended to be heated. The heat generator 4 is shown in FIG. 3 as a series of heated coils that form a repeated “S” shape configuration and are placed inside the reflector dome 2, wherein the coils are heated using a heat source (such as propane tanks located in base portion 1); however, it is understood that any type of heat generating device may be placed inside the reflector dome 2 and may be heated using a variety of heat sources known in the prior art.

The base portion 1 is adapted to accommodate a heat source, such as a plurality of propane tanks and the like and may be weighted to keep the base portion 1 from tipping over when supporting the weight of the support system 3 and reflector dome 2. The base portion 1 is from about 32 to about 48 inches in length, but preferably around 40 inches in length, and from about 22 to about 54 inches in height, but preferably around 28 inches, wherein the dimensions are intended to be large enough to accommodate at least two standard propane tanks

Turning to FIG. 4, a reflective shield 5 is applied to the interior walls of the reflector dome 2. The reflective shield 5 serves to reflect and retain heat emanating from the heat generator 4, which results in the reflector dome 2 being able to retain heat longer and reduce consumption from the heat source to maintain the desired temperature of the user and/or surface to be heated, such as reduction in propane used during operation. In order to achieve this necessary heat insulation and reflection, the stone insulation layer has a thickness from about 0.635 to 1.27 cm, but preferably between 0.635 and 0.825 cm. The reflective shield 5 has demonstrated the ability to use around 35% less propane when propane tanks were used as the heat source for the heat generator 4.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and components of the individual operating components of the method) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An attachment for patio heaters, the heaters having a base including a chamber for a heat source and an upright stem, the attachment comprising: a. a dome member defined by a perimeter edge extendable from the upright stem, the dome member having an interior and exterior surface; and b. a layer of stone insulation affixed along the perimeter edge of said dome member and to the interior surface of said dome member.
 2. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the stone layer of insulation is affixed to the dome member using a bonding agent that is mixed with the insulation layer.
 3. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the dome member is permanently attachable to the upright stem.
 4. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the dome member is removably attachable to the upright stem.
 5. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the layer of stone insulation is from about 0.64 cm to about 1.27 cm.
 6. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the layer of stone insulation is from about 0.635 cm to about 0.825 cm.
 7. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said dome member is generally rectangular perimeter shape and a pyramid-shaped central portion.
 8. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said dome member is a generally circular perimeter shape and a curved central portion.
 9. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said dome member has a generally oval perimeter shape and a curved central portion.
 10. A patio heater comprising: a. A base including a chamber for a heat source; b. An upright stem; c. A heat redirector attachment extending from the upright stem comprising: i. a dome member defined by a perimeter edge positionable atop of the burner unit, the dome member having an interior and exterior surface; and ii. a layer of stone insulation affixed along the perimeter edge of said dome member and to the interior surface of said dome member. d. A heat generating device positioned inside said dome member.
 11. The patio heater of claim 10 wherein the interior surface of the dome faces downward towards the base.
 12. The patio heater of claim 10 wherein the heat source is at least one propane tank.
 13. The patio heater of claim 10 wherein the heat generating device is a series of heated coils.
 14. The patio heater of claim 10 wherein the stone layer of insulation is affixed to the dome member using a bonding agent that is mixed with the insulation layer.
 15. The patio heater of claim 10 wherein the dome member is permanently attachable to the upright stem.
 16. The patio heater of claim 10 wherein the dome member is removably attachable to the upright stem.
 17. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said dome member is generally rectangular perimeter shape and a pyramid-shaped central portion.
 18. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said dome member is a generally circular perimeter shape and a curved central portion.
 19. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said dome member has a generally oval perimeter shape and a curved central portion.
 20. A combination patio heater and heat redirection device, comprising: a. A base including a chamber for containing a heat source; b. A means for extending upwardly from said base, said mean for extending having a first lower end attached to said base and an upper end; c. A dome member defined by a perimeter edge positionable along said upper end, the dome member having an interior and an exterior surface; d. A layer of stone insulation affixed along the perimeter edge of said dome member and to the interior surface of said dome member; and e. A heat generating device positioned inside said dome member. 